“You may say what you like but she is a monstrous fine woman—I envy that fellow Edward!”
“I grant you—she is a splendid woman—but she is not a patch upon her daughter.”
“You are right there,” cried another. “By the way where can nonna Anna have got to? One sees her nowhere now.”
“I am told she is gone on a visit to a friend—they say to spend a few weeks with the wife of the Assistant Resident of Karang Anjer.”
“What Karang Anjer in Bagelen? That is a deuce of a way off! Is there anything wrong with her?”
“Why, don’t you know? Van Nerekool has proposed and been refused—and it appears that until Charles can get some other appointment elsewhere, the Resident wants to keep his daughter out of the way.”
“What do you say?” asked another, “Charles van Nerekool going away—what in the world is that for?”
Just then Grenits, who had been sitting some time in the reading-room of the Club, came up to the group of young men with a newspaper in his hand.
“Good evening, Theodoor!” was the general cry; for the young merchant was very much liked by all, and exceedingly popular among the members. “Have you got any news that you are walking about with the Santjoemeh Herald?”
“Listen to me, gentlemen,” said Grenits as he slowly unfolded his paper and began to read: